Redeia, as global manager of essential infrastructures, is constantly striving to advance towards sustainability objectives that contribute to a more sustainable future, as part of its Sustainability Plan 23-25. To ensure responsible business management, some of these objectives focus on the environmental integration of the facilities in their surroundings.

Along this line of action, the CICA Project was launched in collaboration with one of the world's leading suppliers of polymer insulators, SHEMAR. Two of the group's companies are collaborating on the project: Red Eléctrica, transmission agent and sole operator (TSO) of the Spanish electricity system, and Elewit, he technology platform of Redeia.

The CICA Project consists of the installation of composite insulated cross arms (CICA) for the deployment of electricity transmission lines. This solution provides, among others, the following benefits:

• Reduced environmental and social impact: By reducing the width of the overhead clearance and the dimensions of the supports, the environmental and social impact of the electricity transmission lines is minimised.
• Infrastructure efficiency: The weight of infrastructures, assembly time, as well as operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Collaboration with SHEMAR

SHEMAR is a company that promotes progress in the electricity sector through innovation. It has installed over 1,000,000 insulators in substations and over 800,000 insulators in lines. Their composite insulated cross arms have a dual purpose, as they provide mechanical support for the conductor and electrical insulation. In addition, maintenance requirements are reduced due to the use of HTV silicone with high hydrophobicity transfer properties.

Advantages of composite insulated cross arms (CICA)

Nowadays, the implementation of composite insulated cross arms can be safe and economical, especially in locations with higher overhead clearance costs and high environmental and social constraints. In fact, projects involving this solution reduce the need for steel supports, concrete foundations and the width of the overhead clearance by approximately 20%.

CICA technology has great potential for the uprating of existing lines, as it allows for the use of existing infrastructures to transmit more energy without modifying pylons. In addition, the development of this technology ensures that composite insulators have a minimum life span of 30 years.

Furthermore, shorter assembly time means less risk for workers, improving occupational health and safety conditions. The reduction of CO2 emission into the atmosphere due to lower steel consumption, as well as the reduction of waste generated while operating, during maintenance and the recycling of materials once their life span is over, are just a few of the main benefits of implementing CICA technology.